Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point) has some explaining to do. Last week, he sent an email to his supporters and constituents headlined "A Tragic Week in Review", and then opened with this text:

This past week has been like no other. On Monday the world witnessed the tragedy at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. On Tuesday Oregon witnessed the passage of Domestic Benefits for same-sex couples (HB 2007) and Civil Rights based on sexual orientation.

That's right, folks. He equated a vote by the people's representatives in the Legislature to the insane actions of a crazed gunman.

Now, Rep. Richardson isn't just some crackpot backbencher in the GOP caucus. Rather, he's the House Republican Whip - the third-ranking leader of their caucus. Previously, he was the Treasurer of the Oregon Republican Party.

Frankly, Richardson is perfectly welcome to disagree with the equal rights measures that the Oregon House so courageously passed last week -- but to equate the passage of legislation with the mass murder of 32 people?